Swadlincote and The National Forest Tourist Information

Swadlincote Tourist Guide & Attractions

Swadlincote is a major centre in the heart of the spectacular National Forest which stretches 200 square miles across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and contains over 400 woodlands. At Swadlincote is the award winning visitor experience the Sharpe's Pottery Museum. The museum's centrepiece is a bottle kiln and around it sit a range of artefacts, film shows, models and interactive exhibits exploring the cultural and industrial history of this area of South Derbyshire. The site is a rare surviving 19th century pottery works first founded in 1821 and closed in 1967. All the buildings at Sharpe's Pottery Museum in Swadlincote are Grade II listed and a view of the precious kiln hovel is not to be missed.

Both potteries and collieries once spread across the South Derbyshire area. Sharpe's Pottery was one of the first pottery works in South Derbyshire started by Thomas Sharpe. The factory specialised in the distinctive yellow Mocha Ware which you can see on display alongside treacle glazed jugs, other coloured pottery and unique items such as the yellow and green 'Lord and Lady Toper jugs dating from around 1880. Particularly special is viewing this unique pottery collection on the site where it was originally produced.

KMB Models is a specialist model shop, stocking a wide variety of quality model railways in N gauge and OO gauge, diecast models and plastic kits. Only 5 minutes walk from Sharpe's pottery.

Swadlincote Tourist Information is also located on the museum site and is a one-stop-shop for leaflets and guides on The National Forest. Sharpe's is also a centre for film, changing exhibitions, fairs and craft days and concerts. Highlights on display feature pottery gems like the 1930s art Deco green vase designed by William Ault's of Swadlincote.

More attractions in Swadlincote include the popular Swadlincote ski slope where you can not only ski but also experience snowboarding and tobogganing. The ski slope is open all year round.

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Conkers Visitor Attraction in The National Forest

Award winning family attraction Conkers in the heart of the National Forest near Ashby-de-la-Zouch offers a fantastic mix of indoor and outdoor play for children and is open all year round. Conkers sits a mere 5 miles of the M42 from Junction 11. Attractions at Conkers include the Discovery and Waterside Centres, both of which are linked by the great fun Conkachoo train. The indoor Discovery Centre features over 100 exhibits across four seasonal zones. Exhibits all have a forest theme with a fun learning element. Indoor climbing adventure and rope walks are in the Enchanted Forest zone within the Discovery Centre.

Indoors at the Waterside Centre younger children will love the Billy Bonkers activity play centre. Outdoors within 120 acres of grounds at Conkers the mix of attractions for children include woodland, lakes and gardens and sculpture trails. An assault course for children aged 13 years and over also sits within the grounds. More outdoor fun is at the Playdale adventure playground.

Conkers is an all inclusive family attraction with the onsite licensed Olive Tree Restaurant in the Discovery Centre and the Gallery Restaurant within the Waterside Centre. Food kiosks also sit around the attraction and Billy Bonkers BBQ Shack operates during the summer months. Conkers is a superb attraction for children's birthday parties and a range of birthday packages are available.

Shopping and an art gallery can also be found at Conkers. The Trading Post Gift Shop offers a range of gifts, speciality foods, books and accessories for the home at great value prices. Visit The National Forest Art Gallery at Conkers which displays artwork by local artists based around The National Forest area. Extensive corporate and wedding facilities are also onsite and Conkers hosts fairs and family events throughout the year. All these top family activities and attractions at Conkers come at a great value price, with special family tickets available and discounts for online booking.

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The National Forest Guide

The National Forest sits just to the south of Derby and the Peak District. The area covers 200 square miles spread across parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and is one of Britain's boldest new environmental projects. Exciting outdoor activities, woodland walking trails and family attractions are here already like the fantastic Conkers. New attractions, trails and activities are constantly evolving in this top outdoor playground in the UK. In the last 20 years nearly eight million trees have been planted in the area. Major centres within the National Forest for tourist information and holiday accommodation include Swadlincote in South Derbyshire, Coalville and Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire and Burton upon Trent in East Staffordshire.

Attractions in the National Forest include something for all from great family attractions and hands-on-activities to industrial heritage attractions, woodland craft centres, cycling trails, walking trails and horse riding bridleways. Great activity centres, llama treks, stately homes and castles, forest four wheel drive excursions, local produce and craft centres, traditional tearooms and a range of events and festivals all feature in the National Forest. The National Forest's Walking Festival takes place annually from late May to early June.

You can find out more about the National Forest and the fantastic choice of indoor and outdoor attractions across the area via The National Forest's website guide. Swadlincote, which is home to a large tourist information centre at the Sharpe's Pottery Museum which serves both South Derbyshire and The National Forest, is ideally placed for easy access into both the Peak District and The National Forest.

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